Comments on: Just How Good Are the Montreal Canadiens? http://www.depthockeyanalytics.com/uncategorized/just-how-good-are-the-montreal-canadiens/ Tue, 16 May 2017 18:47:00 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 By: Steve http://www.depthockeyanalytics.com/uncategorized/just-how-good-are-the-montreal-canadiens/#comment-153134 Fri, 20 May 2016 11:23:05 +0000 http://www.depthockeyanalytics.com/?p=591#comment-153134 I would like to see you do an update to this column now that the season is over, so you can use all of the stats, not just the first few games.

]]> By: Bert Vanular http://www.depthockeyanalytics.com/uncategorized/just-how-good-are-the-montreal-canadiens/#comment-141271 Thu, 29 Oct 2015 20:22:23 +0000 http://www.depthockeyanalytics.com/?p=591#comment-141271 What a garbage artticle. It is really unfortunate that people who study analytics in sports always seem to think that it is the be-all and end-all when it comes to making accurate explanations for actual results. Analytics is certainly of some use but it is only one factor when attempting to analyze the reasons for success or failutre of any particular player or team. Other factors such as character of players, team unity, clutch performances, injuries, etc, all factor into the equation

So much of what you wrote is so ridiculous and inaccurate that it defies description- not to mention the definite racist slant in your closing comments. I don't even know where to start with this but here is one that left me shaking my head: "The coach will try to explain in impeccable French what went wrong while his top players nod their head in complete bewilderment" . Wow I hope you realize how ignorant this sounds? PK Subban may not be fluently bilingual but he does speak French and can converse in it. Both Max Pacioretty and Carey Price as well as several others on the team have taken or are taking French courses and certainly understand the basics.

As for your wildly inaccurate conclusion that the Habs will likely finish 2nd to Tampa Bay, did you so soon forget that Montreal actually finished first, ahead of Tampa in their division last year? Montreal was actually the better team during the season but they could not beat or score against Tampa in the regular season and playoffs because of very poor shooting accuracy. A few good bounces and better shotmaking and the Habs are in the Cup final not the Lightning.

Another factor which you did not even mention is that the Habs are rolling 4 lines with players getting almost equal ice time throuhout the lineup, as well as 3 effective defense pairings. They seem to be fresher than other teams , particularly in the 3rd period which they have dominated all year long. They have switched from dump and chase system to controlled entry, puck possesion hockey and have the 4th D-man often joining the rush and creating far more scoring chances. They presently lead the entire NHL in goals for by a good margin and still lead in lowest goals against as well. Still think that's luck? Luck, my ass!! Tampa Bay has not resolved the Steven Stamkos contract issue and this seems to be wearing on them. Montreal has Tampa squarely in their sights and they are itching for revenge. Unless they are beset by numerous injuries, its much more likely to be Tampa Bay that will be explaining why they took a step back this year while the Habs made it to the Cup final

]]>